Knights drop Region XXI opener to Bunker Hill

09.08.16

Joshua Sandin

Warwick, R.I. – September 9, 2016: The CCRI Knights Men’s Soccer team traveled to
Boston, MA on Thursday to battle with the Bulldogs of Bunker Hill. The Knights played
a tough fought game but were unable to come out with a victory, losing 2-0. The loss
drops the Knights record to 0-3 overall on the season and 0-1 in Region XXI play.

Captains Piotr Szewczyk (Warsaw, Poland) and Joshua Sandin (Warwick, RI) have been
returning to form following lingering injuries, but are still playing reduced minutes.
In spite of this, the pair started off the game strongly, creating opportunities for
the team coming from the middle of the field. Sandin was also working well with fellow
midfielder Ivandro Pedrosa (Central Falls, RI) to jump start attacks for the Knights.
The midfielders were able to create multiple chances playing with the lone striker,
Cameron DiMaria, but none were able to put the ball in the back of the net. The Knights
fell behind 1-0 in the first half, and were unable to find an equalizer before the
half ended.

The Knights continued to fight hard throughout the second half. One of the focal points
of the defense, Ben Boahin (Portsmouth, RI), was unable to take part in the game due
to injury. Coach Gabe Toro said the team was “missing his intensity, which is contagious.”
This showed when the team was unable to clear a ball out of the box, allowing the
Bulldogs to pounce on the opportunity and double their lead in the 29th minute of
the second half. The knights were unable to recover from there, and the game ended
with a final score of 2-0. Coach Toro also commended goalkeeper Christian Ellerbe
(North Kingstown, RI) on his strong performance, noting that the goalie can only do
so much when the defense does not clear the ball.

Coach Toro and the team look to turn things around get their first win of the season
on Sunday, September 11th, when they travel to Southern Maine Community College for
a game at 12noon (originally scheduled for 2pm).

The Community College of Rhode Island, New England’s largest comprehensive community
college, enrolls nearly 18,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit
and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic
support program for all student-athletes.